Do or don’t do; students experience adaptive sports for the first time

TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Students at Utterback Middle School traded in their sneakers for wheelchairs this week as they explored adaptive sports, thanks to a program run by Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports (SAAS).

From basketball to rugby, the program offered middle school students the opportunity to try the sport from a new perspective. For many, this was their first introduction to adaptive athletics, promoting not only physical activity, but also a sense of connection and understanding.

Karl Yares, head of SAAS, emphasized the importance of fun during the week-long sessions.

“I like to focus on having fun,” he said. But beyond fun, the program also encouraged students to adopt a broader mindset. “It teaches people to think differently. That’s the big goal here.

The experience left a lasting impression on the students, who noticed the unique strategies and communication required in adaptive sports.

“I felt a different connection because everyone was closer,” one student shared. “It was a different strategy: everyone had to talk more.”

The program was introduced to Utterback by Jon Bialis, a SAAS board member who is passionate about expanding opportunities for students.

Bialis, whose son used a wheelchair, said he hoped the experience would teach students to see the world from a different perspective.

“I learned that we should treat people the same, no matter what they look like or sound like,” one student said.

This was the first time Utterback Middle School hosted an adaptive sports program. The success of the initiative has already inspired plans for a return visit next year.

SAAS is in high demand, with most of 2025 already booked. Schools or organizations wishing to offer suitable sports for their students can find booking information on the SAAS website at soazadaptivesports.org/contact.